Chapter One Hundred Seven Half a week passed uneventfully, without a single word from Lilith. There was no sign of Natasha, although they were all wary every time they left the house. Mack stopped by every other day to work with the horses. He and the werewolves talked often about Chandra, and wondered how they could've missed the signs. Instead of depressing them, the topic made them all the more determined not to miss a step in the future. Bryn's gallery opening was set for Thursday night. Although nervous, she was looking forward to the event and had left home early each night to look for an appropriate dress. So far she'd purchased two, and would decide what to take back later. She was just calling to remind Anton to tell his employees he'd be taking the night off, when she noticed an email from him with an ominous title: Thursday might be off. Without even opening the mail, she finished dialing his number and waiting for him to answer. He hadn't even said a complete word before she interrupted. "What's going on?" Anton was trying to reschedule some meetings that would be happening in the next few weeks. "Did you read my email?" "No." Anton's voice sounded tired and apologetic. "Lilith has called an emergency meeting of the Council. It appears that she wants to deal with someone who had a hand in Natasha's disappearance. I'll probably have to be traveling tomorrow." She closed her eyes. He sounded distracted and stressed. [Damn you, Lilith...and fucking Natasha!] She knew she was going to have to drive to the gallery opening herself, because it started before sundown. But she'd thought they could at least meet up later. "Where are you going? I'm assuming you'll be flying somewhere?" "Australia. I'm being called as a witness before the Grand Council. I tried to argue with Lilith that you and I should both be there, but she wouldn't hear of it." He sighed heavily. Anton would be gone for a good week, and he felt horrible that it was just coming as something so important in his wife's life was about to happen. "I'm sorry, Bryn." Letting out her own sigh, she said, "It's not your fault. And I wouldn't have been able to get off work anyway. We'll probably be swamped next week if the opening is a success." Bryn swallowed, not worried so much about the opening as she was about them being separated for so long. Neither one of them slept very well when apart. "What are you going to do about the warehouse? It's already hard on you without a day manager. Lindy won't be able to handle everything on her own." "We'll just have to muddle through somehow." He had not had a chance to start interviewing candidates, and it looked like he wouldn't have a chance for a while now. "I'm more worried about the fact that I'm going to miss the opening tomorrow. And that I'm going to be away from you and Max for a week." "We'll be okay," she said, scribbling out the date on her calendar desk blotter. "Actually, maybe if you're not with me tomorrow, I can beg out early and not have to stay the entire time." She tried to add a smile to her words. "I'll just greet people, show them my art, make some small talk, and go home. Then I won't have to be away from Max." She finished scribbling and tossed the pen down. "I'll start packing for you when I get home. I should be out of here in a couple of hours." "Bryn, you don't have to pack for me, but thanks." Anton sounded tired. "I'll be leaving here shortly as well, so we should be home at about the same time. "I'm sorry, my dear. I wish I could be there with you tomorrow." It was hard to keep the disappointment out of her voice, but she tried. "I know. I'm not upset about that. I'm going to miss you, a lot. I've gotten really spoiled by being able to call you every night and email you, go out to dinner when I stay late. Now that I'm going to be so busy, and you'll be gone...it feel like I don't have anything to look forward to. I'll be anxious to go home and be with Max...but the house will feel so empty." "I know, my dear. I'm not looking forward to spending my days in an empty hotel suite. But I will call you every chance I get. And I'll be Max will have grown so much by the time I return home." Anton sounded wistful and disappointed at the same time. She couldn't help but love him for how regretful he sounded. "I'll tell you what...I'm going to ask Justin if I can leave now. Then I'm going to go to the grocery store and get some really good dessert. Then I'll stop somewhere and get something for dinner, and we'll worry about your packing later. We'll have a special, memorable evening, to help tide us over until you get back. You okay with that?" The smile in his voice could be heard clearly. "Yeah, I'm okay with that, my dear. Have I mentioned lately how lucky I am to have you for my wife lately?" "No, I don't believe you have." "Shame on me then, Bryn. I love you so much, my dear." "Guess you really are lucky, because I love you so much, too." When he walked through the garage door into the house, the hallway was almost black. Dim light glowed weakly towards the living room. If he listened closely, he could hear the soft notes of piano music playing. Hanging up his coat, he could feel a smile growing on his face. The house was almost completely dark. Following the music, he walked through the foyer and stopped just at the bottom of the stairs. Small tea light candles glowed, two on every step, leading the way upstairs. He knew the dog must've been taken to the neighbor's, because she was nowhere to be found. Hurrying his way upstairs, he headed into the bedroom. The music was slightly louder here, the piano having blended into a light techno beat. A woman's voice in the background moaned softly, setting his every hair on end. The bed was neatly made, turned down, with soft red rose petals sprinkled over the sheets. Yet despite the few candles burning on the dresser, the room was otherwise empty. Following the brighter light, he passed the bed and walked into the bathroom. The marble-floored room was lit up like a church, candles nearly overflowing the counters. Steaming water spilled into the tub, where more rose petals floated above fluffy bubbles. The scent was heavenly. Along with a chilling bottle of champagne, there were custard-thick eclairs, chocolate-covered cherries, and a platter of rare thin-sliced steak. No silverware...everything was meant to be eaten with their fingers. The open balcony doors let in a soft breeze, and beyond the billowing feather-light curtains, Bryn stood staring out at the sky beyond. Her hair was rolled up and secured behind her head, and she was wearing nothing but a short, silky robe. Blood red. Quietly, Anton walked up behind her. He placed one hand on each shoulder, rubbing them lightly. He bent his head so he could kiss her neck and ear. "All this for me, my dear? When you said you were leaving work early, I had no idea you intended to spoil me so." Hands then slipping down her sides, he began undoing the knot holding her robe closed while he sucked lightly on her earlobe. Bryn closed her eyes and softly moaned, wondering what his reaction would be when he saw her body underneath the robe. He would have to turn her around first. Leaning back against him, she clutched the back of his thighs and pulled him tight to her. He smelled wonderful, and she couldn't wait to have her hands all over him. "I hope you're hungry. We have plenty of food. And other things to sate your appetite," she said, smiling. She let out a soft gasp as he pulled the robe off her shoulders, exposing her naked body to anyone who might be walking by. Not that anyone would notice--her entire torso, or at least the front of it, was painted with a huge cluster of multicolored flowers. All of it completely edible. He doubted anyone would be out watching now as he let the robe pool on the floor between their feet. The slacks he wore were loose fitting, but felt three sizes too small as he mouthed her spine between her shoulder blades. With a gentle pressure, he turned her around, and his eyes widened at what he saw when she faced him. "Mmm. Nice," he purred. "I see you really did mean you wanted a special, memorable evening." She smiled at him, her lips painted the same vibrant red as her nipples. "I couldn't reach the back. You may have to help me with that...unless, of course, the front is gone before you have a chance." She ran her finger up her stomach in a squiggly line, dragging away sticky "paint". Sticking her finger in her mouth, she sucked off the sweet syrup. "It tastes pretty good. Especially down here," she said, pointing her crotch, where she'd painted in her missing pubic hair. "Dark chocolate." A visible shudder ran through his body. Breathing heavily, he slipped a finger between her lower lips, just enough to feel the wetness there, and then dragged the same finger up the length of her torso. It seemed a shame to spoil the artwork on her body, but it would be smeared soon enough as the night progressed. Anton made a big show of licking his finger clean, moaning at the taste of her and the syrup. Panting softly, Bryn reached for his shirt and hastily began tugging open the buttons. She wasn't sure she'd be able to wait through the bath and feeding each other dinner...she wanted him now. Here, on the bathroom floor. The exploration of his finger had made her wetter still, and she squirmed as she pulled his shirt off his shoulders. "I want you so much..." Grabbing the back of his neck, she pulled him closer. "Kiss me." He was swift to comply, taking her mouth with a breathless ferocity. It would be difficult to get the stains from the bodypaints out of his slacks, but he didn't care at the moment. All he wanted was to crush her body to his, to merge them into one being so they would never be parted. One hand gripped her ass so tightly as to leave a hand print. He wanted to drop to the floor and take her hard and fast, but another part of him wanted to see what she had in mind for the evening, beyond the obvious. She whimpered from the grip of his hand, trying to climb his body, wanting to grab him just as tightly. Squealing as he lifted her higher, she nipped at him before pushing her tongue into his mouth. It was so hard not to slide down his body and claw at his pants, sucking him to her heart's content. Or better yet, riding him until they both screamed, but she managed to hold on to her sanity a little while longer. Slipping her legs back to the ground, she reached for his hand. "Come on...let's eat." "Okay..." The word was more a breathy moan than anything. Anton could be thinking of several things he'd like to be eating at the moment. He dropped to his knees and began to lap the sweet paint off of her stomach and abdomen. He started to undo his slacks, seeking some relief. "Mmm." Leaning against him, her toes curling on the heated floor, she slid her legs a little further apart--in case he wanted to use his tongue to clean any lower. Although she no longer wore the bandage over her breast from Max's bite, the scabbed over wound still pulled a bit as her nipples tightened to hard peaks. She writhed against his tongue, imagining she could feel every little taste bud pass over her flesh. "Oh, that feels so...yummy." Anton moaned in agreement, his tongue still busy lapping her flesh clean. He pushed up a little higher, both to work his boxers down to his knees, but to also lap at Bryn's breast, being careful of the puncture wounds. He made a soft whimper when the skin was completely clean, but lingered to suck on her nipple before moving to the other breast. Biting her lip, Bryn slid her fingers into his hair, clenching her hands in the strands. She'd seen just how excited he was when he pushed his pants down, and wanted so badly to push him back and impale herself. But his hands felt so good wrapped around her, and she wouldn't let that sensation go to waste. She didn't know what she was going to do without him. She'd have to hug his pillow each night just to keep her arms from feeling so empty. "I love you so much, Anton. I don't want to let you go. I should tie you to the bed and refuse to let you out of my sight." Anton grinned up at her, settling lower onto his legs. "I could live with that, my dear. I'll even let you use my ties." He inhaled deeply, enjoying the scent of chocolate and her arousal. Mouth watering, he began to lap the chocolate off of her pubis. He held her hips tight as she squirmed. After one long lick, he leaned back enough to look her. "Absolutely delicious, my dear." She shuddered, staring at the spot of chocolate on his nose. She wanted to lick it off, to kiss her way to his lips and explore his mouth...but that would mean stopping what he was doing. Pressing her hands to the back of his head, she opened up a little wider as he leaned forward once more. Soft moans left her mouth, increasing in volume every time he flicked his tongue past her clit. "I should wear you out...make it so you can't walk...for the rest of the week." "Mmmhmmm," Anton agreed. He continued to lap at her eagerly, his hands smearing and spreading the remnants of the syrup around her skin. He thought it was a good thing that she had a bath ready. They'd both need it after she came. Which he turned his attention to making her do. His tongue lovingly caressed her clit, pressing against it before flicking against the opening to her sex. He caught a trickle of fresh dampness and swallowed with great relish. She lifted her thigh over his shoulder, nearly bending him backwards in her struggle to get closer. Hips rocking against his mouth, she squeaked when he pushed his tongue inside her, wiggling it back and forth, searching for her favorite spot. She tightened around him, riding his mouth. When his thumb came up to take over the task of stimulating her clit, she gasped, quivering, shivering into waves of climax. Anton continued to rub her clit and lap at her as she squirmed until she pulled away. Anton caught her as she started to sink down against him. He gathered her against his body, caressing her bare back. Anton started pressing kisses to her hair. "You know, my dear, we're both a bit sticky, and that bath looks awfully inviting..." She nodded, a breathless smile on her face. "Going to...overflow..." She let out a small squeak as he moved to shut off the water and drain it a bit, pulling her along with him. Wiggling against him, she tempted herself with the prospect of mounting him where he knelt. Wrapping both arms tightly around his shoulders, she began pressing repeated kisses to his face, neck, and ears, pausing every so often to lick his skin or suck at his earlobes. "Don't want you to go." She reached down and grabbed his ass, squeezing. "I'll miss you too much. Need you too much." Anton held her tightly, hips thrusting forward as she grabbed at him. "Don't want to leave you either." Slipping his hands underneath her thighs, Anton scooped her up and settled her on the ledge of the bathtub. He leaned his ear against her chest, listening to her heart beat. It amazed her how much a simple move like that could leave her completely speechless. Awestruck. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her cheek to the top of his head, wanting so much to demand that he stay. He probably would, just for her...but it wasn't her place to ask. And if his leaving meant they were one step closer to getting rid of Natasha forever, she had to let him go. No matter how much she hated it. "I want to give you something of mine to take with you--I'm not sure what yet--so you'll be able to have part of me with you. Maybe if I'm not completely across the world, you'll be able to sleep better." He leaned his head up to kiss her lips, lightly tugging on them. "What would you like to leave you, my dear? One of my ties?" Anton twisted and scooted so he also sat on the edge of the tub. He gently stroked the side of her face with his palm. "I want to bring you along so badly, my dear, but I want to stay here and be by your side at the opening." "I know." She reached for the plug on the tub and stopped the water from draining. "Get in." Watching as he lingered for a moment more, she waited for him to climb into the tub and then settled in the warm water on his lap. Leaning back against his chest, she nuzzled his neck. "I don't care about the opening, Anton. In fact, if it weren't for the need for two-weeks notice, and my help tomorrow night, I'd quit that job just so I could go with you. It's not as if we need the money. I guess the thing that bothers me the most is that you're going to be so far away...and on a completely different schedule. You'll be going to sleep as I'm getting up to go to work." "I know, my dear. I know." Anton cupped some water in his hands, letting it drip over her chest. "But if this turns out the way we hope, Natasha will be out of our lives for good." Grabbing the washcloth, he slowly started scrubbing at the stickiness on her chest. He leaned forward some so he could kiss at her earlobe. "But look at it this way...we can practice our phonesex technique." She let out a shallow breath, leaning further against him. Following his lead, she used her fingers to rub soapy water over the sugary mixture that had rubbed off her skin and on to his. He had smeared flowers on his chest, red-stained lips, and still wore a large brown spot on his nose. She almost laughed as the word 'brown-noser' came to mind. Leaning forward, she kissed the tip of his nose, using her lips and tongue to wash the chocolate away. He grinned, squirming beneath her. His erection hadn't abated at all. In fact, it had gotten harder, especially cradled now against Bryn's ass. He grabbed her hips and twisted slightly, turning her to face him. Catching her mouth in his, he kissed her deep as he lifted his groin and rubbed against her. "I want you, Bryn." She whimpered, rubbing back against him. Panting, she whispered, "Want you, too..." Pushing her hips down, she shifted her pelvis until the head of his cock was exactly where she wanted it. Just pushing her open, its wide rim teasingly sliding back and forth against the mouth of her sex. Giving him a wicked grin, she rolled her hips back and forth, keeping the contact light but intense. Anton moaned, trying to guide her where he wanted her. There was a slightly frustrated look as she resisted his movement. Waiting for a moment when she didn't expect it, he lunged upwards, slipping his cock inside of her. Groaning he started to pump, holding her hips firmly in place. She whined, leaning forward to brace her hands behind him. The way he gripped her, so tight and close, excited her nearly as much as his thrusting. Pressing her breasts to his chest, she kissed him deeply, sucking his tongue, squeezing his cock in time with his movements. He kissed her back, gripping her hips even tighter. He tried to keep his thrusts slow and even, wanting this to last as long as possible. He wanted to be able to feel her on him when he boarded the airplane tomorrow evening. But the grip of her sex on his cock encouraged him to move faster and harder. "Oh! Yesss..." She bit her lip harshly, trying to keep the sound level down a bit. Even though the music was playing, she'd purposefully picked a soft even beat, hoping the noise wouldn't wake Max as he slept in his bedroom. "Mmm, you feel so good." She nipped at Anton's neck, feeling the water slosh around them. "I want you so much. Love you so much." The feel of her teeth on his neck was incredibly erotic. Anton couldn't help but wonder what it would be like when she was a vampire, how it would feel to make love with her fangs sunk into his throat. The thought was almost too pleasurable to bear. Reaching between her legs, he fingered her clit as he felt a surge he couldn't begin to hold back swell from the base of his cock outwards. Her name became a moan of ecstasy on his lips. "Sabrrryyyynnnn...." She squealed as he swelled inside her, his fingers only adding to the pressure building inside her. His strong thrusts as he came pushed her over the edge, forcing her into orgasm right along with him. Her nails bit into his flesh and she panted hard past his ear. "Oh God, sugar, don't stop moving." He did as she wished, still thrusting even as he softened slightly. Holding her tight to him, he tried to wring every last bit of pleasure from their bodies. Anton planted his feet flat against the tub, pushing up and into her with all his might. "Like this, my dear?" She let out a strangled moan, pressing her face to his neck. She continued to move with him as well, grinding herself against him, until her muscles went limp with fatigue. Pushing down with her hips, she indicated that he should stop moving as well. Bryn pulled herself tighter against him, pressing her lips to his collarbone. "Perfect," she said, quietly. "Now let's just stay here for the next seven days." "Mmmm. Wish we could. Except that we'd get all pruney, and one of us would have to go get Max eventually..." He nuzzled her cheekbone and kissed her temple. He felt well satiated for the moment, other than the nagging thought that this time tomorrow he would be on an airplane headed for Australia, alone. Reaching past him towards the tray of food, she grabbed one of the glasses. Settling it on the rim of the tub, she then reached for the bottle of champagne and poured it into the glass until it overflowed. After the bottle was safely stowed, she lifted the glass to her lips and drank...then pressed her lips tightly to his and shared the bubbling liquid. He stroked his tongue against hers, just as she was sliding her sex against his cock. "Hungry?" "Yes." He wasn't surprised when she picked up one of the steaks and slowly fed it to him. He caught her wrist so he could lick her fingers clean. He wanted to run his tongue over her skin, tasting the whole of her. Instead, he settled for picking up a piece of meat and feeding it to her, shuddering when her lips brushed over his skin. She smiled, closed-mouthed, as she chewed, sliding her hands over his chest. She couldn't get enough of touching him, tracing familiar routes between muscles and over smooth planes. Nuzzling his neck, she leaned in and nipped at his Adam's apple until he squirmed. Giggling softly, she met his gaze. "You're not going to find some Aussie chick to warm your lap while you're away, are you?" she teased. "Why would I want to do that? You'll get me hot enough to last the whole time I'm gone." Picking up one of the chocolate covered cherries and offered it to her. He grinned as she bit in, a bit of red syrup dribbling down her chin. "Oops, a spill." He leaned forward and lapped it off of her slowly. "Mmm." Before he could pull back, she leaned forward and captured his lips, sharing the lingering flavor between their mouths. She sucked on his tongue, feeling him harden against her thigh. "Speaking of hot enough...what would you like me to do to you? You want my mouth on you?" "Yes," he whispered, lips brushing against hers. "I want to feel all of you on me, your lips, your mouth, your skin." He trailed his wet fingers over her bare back. "I want to sear the feel of you in my memory for all time." She purred, kissing him softly, her hands lifting to rake through his hair, leaving dark streaks behind from the bath water. His hair was so luxuriously long and silky now, ending just below the tip of his ears on the sides, and she wrapped her fingers in it as often as she could. Kissing her way down his chin and neck, she whispered in between, "I'm going to wear your clothes when you're gone. One of your t-shirts to bed...maybe a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up when I go to work...and your boxers underneath my skirts..." Anton arched up underneath her, giving a soft groan. "I'm going to...mmmm, right there, Bryn...take a pair of your underwear with me." He shifted restlessly as she nipped at the soft skin just above his navel. "Carry them in my pocket the whole time, and when I'm bored, or horny, slip my hand in and stroke them..." "Ooh, good idea." Kneeling between his legs, her hands pressed to the tub wall behind him, she pulled one of his nipple between her lip and sucked gently. She loved the way his hands fisted, his neck arched, when something felt good. How restless he got when she slipped her hand down and teased his inner thighs. He twitched against her, tilting his hips to shift her closer to his desired destination. Nipping at one nipple and then the other, she deftly avoided stroking his cock...for now. He loved it when she felt playful and teasing. Squirmed beneath her, moaning softly as she stroked her fingertips over his balls. He dropped his hips, thinking he could brush his cock against her fingers, and groaned in frustration when he felt the swirl of water as her fingers moved away. "Bryn..." he groaned. "Please..." She grinned at him. "You know, I hear that so rarely from you that I never even realized how much I like it." With that, she returned to scraping her fingernails along his thighs, rasping against the wet hair on his legs. She was well aware that he was becoming more and more frustrated, and she was likely to end up knocked on her ass sooner or later...or at least she hoped so. "Please what?" "Please suck my cock..." he moaned. His hands gripped the sides of the tub, knuckles almost white. Bryn had set up this seduction, and he was going to let her play it out. Or at least he was until his lust got the better of him and he pinned her against the tub and fucked them both silly. She couldn't help it--she shivered. The raspy sound of his voice made the little hairs on her arms stand up. "You, uh...you'll need to sit up there," she said, indicating for him to move to the rim of the tub. The marble encasing of the surrounded tub would make a comfortable seat for him...and hopefully he was beyond feeling the chill of the air around them. As he lifted himself into position, almost as shaky as she was, she scooted forward between his legs and placed her hands on his thighs. When she slid her tongue in a sideways sweep, underneath the head of his cock, she thought he might jump out of his skin. "Hold still." "Easier said than done." So tempting to clamp a hand on the back of her head and push her where he wanted him. Instead he placed his weight on his hands behind him, leaning back and pushing his groin further forward. His eyes drifted shut as he felt her breath stir his pubic hair. He waited for her first touch, a picture of tense anticipation. Bryn leaned down further, her nose almost touching the base of his cock, and extended her tongue to trace back and forth along the bottom of his scrotum. He flinched against the attack, his balls drawing up tighter to his body. Without even touching his cock, she continued to paint her saliva over his balls, enjoying the way he squirmed, watching his anus contract involuntarily with each sweep of her tongue. She slid her hands down to grab his ass, thumbs facing inward, holding his cheeks open and anus exposed. He groaned, his hand coming up to grasp her head, yet she dodged his attempts to direct her movements. Sucking one of his balls into her mouth, she moaned around it and brushed the tip of her finger across his anus. Anton threw his head back, letting a drawn out cry escape. He squirmed, growling in frustration as Bryn deftly avoided him. He lifted his head, tasting blood from his lacerated lower lip. He hadn't even realized that his fangs had extended due to frustration. He just looked at her, breathing heavily, waiting for her next move. Her eyes widened slightly as she met his gaze, but the intensity on his face didn't frighten her. In fact, after teasingly flicking her tongue back and forth over one of his balls, she moved on to suck the other into her mouth. He was starting to look desperate, and she wasn't sure if her stimulation of her perineum was relieving some of the anxiety or only frustrating him more. He forced his eyes shut, forced his breathing to slow, although he wanted to pounce on her and sink his fangs in. To take her in every possible way, Transform her in a paroxysm of lust. Instead he forced a tortured whisper between his lips. "Bryn...please..." Releasing him from her mouth, she looked up at him, lips swollen, and swallowed heavily. He looked primal, even with those glowing eyes closed. His every muscle was tensed, shuddering with the power he restrained. She knew he could have her on her back in less than five seconds if she teased him enough...and the temptation was so strong she could taste it. But, just for now, she thought she'd rather taste him. Opening her mouth wide over the head of his cock, she tried to swallow him whole, taking him in as deeply as she could, surrounding him with intense heat. His hands gripped the marble sides even harder. Before the problem had been getting her mouth on his cock. Now the problem was that her mouth was on his cock, and he was ready to cum almost the same instant. Anton bit his lip, thankful that he healed fast, since he thought he would have gnawed through it by now. Slowly he began to pump his hips, whimpering at the intense stimulation. "Uuuuggghhh..." She pressed her hand down to limit his movements, moving her head up and down instead. She kept her suction gentle at first, focusing most of her concentration on tasting him with her tongue. Licking away the precum from the head of his cock, she excitedly kept lapping as the liquid continued flowing. Drilling her tongue into the slit at the tip, she wiggled it back and forth, surprised by his sudden jump beneath her. He almost slipped off the edge of the tub, but caught himself just in time. Giving in to his body's demands, he started thrusting, his breath coming in a ragged pant. "Oh God, Bryn," he moaned. One hand let go of its death grip on the tub to cradle the back of her head, fingers threading through her hair. Fangs gleaming in the candle light, he gave a sharp thrust and a yell, exploding in her mouth. She pulled back slightly before she choked, surprised by the impact of his thrust, and swallowed as fast as she could. She still didn't manage to take everything, and felt some of his semen escape from the corners of her mouth. Squirming on her heels, she continued to suck lightly as he softened, gently cleaning him while she stroked his perineum with two fingers. His breathing took its time to slow to normal, little shudders still running through his body as Bryn hit a particularly sensitive spot with her tongue or fingers. When she lifted her head to look at him, Anton took advantage by slipping into the now tepid water, pulling her close to cradle her cheek against his chest. He let out a contented sigh and lightly kissed her forehead. "Perhaps we should continue this in our bed, my dear..." Idly, he wondered if they would get any sleep this day. Bryn would have to be out of the house well before sunset, and he had yet to pack (although he half suspected Bryn had already somehow managed to do that). But it would be at least a week before they held each other again, and Anton wasn't about to let her go so quickly. She made a soft purring sound, using her foot to turn on the warm water to heat them up a bit. "We'll have to take the eclairs and champagne with us," she murmured, before placing an openmouthed kiss to his chest. "Maybe even some of that body paint. I think I could manage to clean you up without using water." Pressing her chin to pectoral, she met his gaze. "I'm all ready for you...I bet if you dry me off and take me to bed, I could bend into all sorts of fun positions for you to fuck me in. I want you really deep, up to your balls." Anton smiled down at her. "That deep, huh?" He sank into the water a little deeper. "Of course you know, you'll have to get up before I can do that." Anton laughed at how quickly Bryn scrambled out of the tub. He got out as well and grabbed the thick, fluffy towels piled on the sink and began to dry her off. "You know Bryn? It's funny. There's this place on your body that no matter how much I rub, it doesn't seem to get dry. If anything, it only gets wetter." She grinned at him, hands on his biceps. "I guess you'll have to keep on rubbing, then. Maybe you'll get lucky and find something big enough to stop the leak?" Leaning forward, she opened her mouth over his nipple and began flicking the tight bud back and forth with her tongue. She felt his hands tighten on her and knew he was enjoying her attention. He let out a soft sigh, pushing forward against her mouth. He wished that they wouldn't be separated tomorrow. Anton wanted to wake up and start this all over again. Dropping the towel, he bent down slightly and scooped her up, making Bryn put her leg around his waist. Grinning, he started walking towards the bedroom. Arms around his neck and heels drumming against his thighs, Bryn watched his face closely, wanting to memorize every little cell of his skin. She wanted to remember him just like this, happy, romantic, and filled with passion for her. Leaning closer, she kissed his lips while stroking the side of his face with her thumb. "I love you so much. And I miss you already. The idea of you not being here tomorrow night...I just want to say 'screw the stupid job' and come with you." Anton lowered her to the bed and then crawled on top of her. "I want you to so badly," he said, caressing the side of her face. "I wish you could come with me. Max too." He softly kissed her lips. "It's going to be so hard waking up tomorrow as the sunset knowing that you'll already have gone." He started to kiss behind her ear, inhaling the sweet scent of her skin and the rose petals sprinkled over the bed. Purring softly, she stroked her legs along his, up and over his hips, her feet clinging to every muscle. Sliding her hand down between them, she lightly raked her nails through his pubic hair, teasing him into arousal. An idea coming to her mind, she slid her fingers over her own sex to draw up some of the moisture. She then painted the sticky juices over his lips and kissed him eagerly. Anton kissed her back with equal fervor, one hand stroking down her shoulder to cup her breast. He was starting to harden again, and he nudged her legs wider apart. "What would you like me to do, my dear?" He squeezed her breast gently. "How would you like me to take you?" "Mmm, behind me. Doggy-style," she said, blushing a bit. She reached down to stroke him, rubbing her fingers firmly along the underside of his cock. "Like the time we did it in the RV. It felt so good to have you so tight against me." She kissed him again, her grip on him getting tighter. "Would you really like me to come with you tomorrow? I will...all you have to do is say so." He was tempted. Sorely tempted. But if he did ask and she did come, she'd always wonder and feel guilty about the job. "I wish you could, my dear. It's not that I don't want you to, Bryn, but I feel it might be best if you do not." He cupped her cheeks, stroking his thumbs over her skin. "You were so excited about getting this job, and I wouldn't want to take that away from you." She smiled at him, turning her head to kiss each of his hands in turn. "I knew you would say that...but that's not what I asked. I asked if you wanted me to come with, and I got my answer. Now let me decide what to do, okay?" Pushing forward, she kissed his mouth, wrapping her arms tightly around his back so he couldn't get free if he tried...not that he appeared to want to. She said she would make her decision, and he would honor whatever she chose. He leaned his full weight against her, his hips giving little thrusts although he wasn't pushing into her...yet. She was warm and pliable underneath him, and despite his arousal, Anton could easily fall asleep on top of her. Smiling against her mouth, he rolled to his side, taking her with him. Rolling her hips against him, Bryn slid her fingers into his hair and scratched at his scalp. She could feel how hard he was and was eager to get him inside her. Squirming in his grip, she rolled over to her opposite side and teased him with her ass, rubbing against him and trapping his cock between the cheeks. She gave him a devilish grin over her shoulder, before pushing up on to her hands and knees, wiggling her backside at him, and tilting her hips forward to expose her sex. Anton's grin grew even wider. He scrambled up behind her, hands holding her waist tightly to keep her from pulling away, as well as tease her. He pushed his cock between her legs, rubbing against her sex, and then forward past her entrance so the blunt head teased her clit. Thrusting, he gave little grunts, intending to drive both of them wild before taking her. She spread her legs a little wider, neck arched and lips pursed, whimpering in time with his movements. It felt so good she could feel her eyelids fluttering. Lifting her shins off the bed, muscles flexed and feet bent forward, she curled her toes, letting out a soft squeal. She was getting wetter, becoming slippery under his touch. Pressing her weight on to one arm, she used her opposite hand to open the lips of her sex further. He continued to thrust, rubbing against her clit. Giving in to his desire, he slipped back a few inches, and lunged, spearing into her sex. Anton gave a loud groan, leaning low over her back. He started thrusting vigorously, listening to the slap of their flesh impacting. His hands moved from her waist to her breast, squeezing as he kissed the back of her neck. Bryn let out a shocked cry, pushing back against him as hard as she could. His weight felt perfect on top of her, the thrust of his hips nearly shoving her forward no matter how tight she held her ground. She loved how primal and animalistic this position felt, the maneuverability he had to sharply thrust, angle his hips, and hold her still. Biting her lip, she started squeezing him firmly. Enjoying the slap of his balls against her clit. "Oooh...yeah..." He was breathing heavily through his nose. Anton loved the friction of their skin, the give and push of Bryn's body beneath him. Just like she had requested, he was getting as deeply as he could. She was slick and he was moving in and out of her easily. Anton let out a groan, adding a corkscrew twist to his hips. She cried out again, excitement putting a wide grin on her face. Although she'd never been with another man, she was pretty certain that no one made love quite as perfectly as they did together. The things they did to each other were breathtaking. And she was having a hard time breathing now, being filled so full. Every time he shoved inside her, it felt as if the wind was knocked from her lungs. Tucking her ankles behind his thighs, she held him in close. She laced her fingers together with his and held on tight. He plowed into her ruthlessly, relishing the feel of her clenching around his cock. He never wanted to stop, but he couldn't resist freeing one of his hands to slip it between her legs. Anton rubbed her clit, his fingers sliding almost out of control. He nipped at the back of her neck, the tips of her ears, whatever he could reach. Bryn bit her lip almost savagely, squealing from the friction of his fingers. She was tender and sensitive, twitching beneath him, and tightened down hard on his cock. With less than a few seconds of the intense contact, she shuddered heavily, climaxing under his skillful assault. Anton arched up, giving a loud yell. She was clenching hard around him, rippling and squeezing his cock as he came. He continued to move through his orgasm, trying to wring out every last ounce of pleasure for the both of them. Slowly he sank against her, pressing her to the mattress. Panting, she closed her eyes and squeezed his hands in hers. His body was incredibly warm, almost drugging, and she wanted nothing more than to cuddle up and fall asleep. But she had a decision to make, and she wasn't so sure what to do now. Blowing off her job to go with him would be so incredibly easy...at the time. It would only be later on that she'd feel like a failure. Besides, she wasn't so sure she could allow her paintings to be displayed for the first time without being there to see how they were received. Whether the public loved them or hated them, she wanted to know it herself instead of hearing it second hand. And then there was Max... If she thought she was going to miserable without Anton, she'd be twice as upset once Max realized his daddy wasn't around. He would be inconsolable. He was so attached to Anton these days that he cried every night when he was left with Jess. Bryn wasn't so sure she'd be able to keep him occupied. Or herself occupied. Missing Anton would take up every spare minute of her day. Anton continued to gently stroke her hair and her sides. He could easily fall asleep like this now, comfortable and content. But he wouldn't just yet, even surrounded by the scent of roses and his wife. He wanted to hear her decision on if she was coming with him or not. She would come if he asked, but he wanted her to come to the decision on her own. Lightly pushing against him, she urged him on to his side and followed closely to keep contact with his body. She reached for the blankets and pulled them up to cover their legs. Reaching for him as he wrapped his arms around her, she groaned lazily. "I've been thinking about possibly coming with you," she said, rubbing his arm. "The way I see it, I have two choices." She turned over to face him, wanting to be able to see his face. "I could stay behind and attend the opening to make sure people aren't totally trashing my work...or...I can pull my stuff out of the gallery until some later date, and come with you, and Max, to Australia." "Sounds about right to me." He gently caressed her face. "I want you to come, Bryn. But I want it to be for the right reasons. I don't want you to be running away from the gallery opening and using me as an excuse." He slid further down in the bed so they were eye to eye. "Are you ready to face Lilith? And the Grand Council? If you thought the North American Council was uptight..." Anton rolled his eyes. "I wasn't using you as an excuse, and you know that. I want to be with you, no matter where you go or when. But you're right...I don't know if I'm ready to face them. Not without throwing a vicious fit and getting myself in trouble, anyway." She let out a sigh, staring at his Adam's apple. "Plus I'm not altogether sure I want to go to Australia with all of those big ass Funnel-web spiders they have. I've heard they hide in your bed or your shoes, just waiting to bite you repeatedly...and they're as big as your fist!" Anton shuddered. "I'll have to remember to check my shoes every night, my dear." He kissed her forehead. "Or, we could compromise. You and Max could join me after the gallery opening. That way we'd only be apart a few nights at the most." She smiled at him. "I like that idea. Now I just need to figure out if I'll be able to go and still keep my job. Maybe I could tell Justin that your grandmother died and we really need to be there for the funeral. He can't prove that she's not dead, that's for sure." Anton laughed and put his arms around her, squeezing her tight. "That idea just might work, my dear." Despite his best intentions, a yawn escaped him. He snuggled a little closer, relishing the feel of her skin and the heat of her body. He would have a hard time sleeping the next few days. She reached up to kiss the bridge of his nose, rubbing her hand over his back soothingly. "Go to sleep, sugar. I'll be here. I promise I won't leave tonight without saying good-bye. I may even end up being late, because I won't want to walk away from you." She kissed him again, this time on the mouth, her eyes tearing up a bit. "I love you so much. And these next few days will be hell without you." "I love you too my dear. And hell will be a cakewalk compared to the next few days." She stood staring at "Black," one of her own paintings, a mass of moody blues and grays swirling inside the iris of an eye. It was meant to convey a feeling of misery, but she didn't need the painting to feel to sad. Despite the soft jazz music playing and the warm golden light bouncing off the honeyed wood floors, she was feeling nothing but loss and anxiety. Sabryn had been counting on Anton to hold her hand this night and ease her worries. By now, he was on a plane headed clear across the Pacific. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned and smiled at Justin Steel. He looked dapper in his dark purple suit, his gray hair stylishly combed away from his face. "Good evening." "Six minutes to show time," he murmured, glancing back at the doors. He'd had Danny open the doors early, and a few cars were already parking on the street beyond. "Less than that, it appears." She plastered a hopeful expression on her face, trying to appear much more energetic than she felt. "Are you nervous?" "Extremely," he admitted. "But you, Sabryn, look like an old hand at this. I'd say you've done this many times before." He took a step closer. "And your dress is absolutely perfect. It suits you perfectly. If I were your husband, I would not have let you out of my sight for fear that someone might try to steal you away." She smiled genuinely this time, blushing slightly. "Thank you. Actually, he did have a hard time leaving, but I think our son may have had something to do with that, too." When she'd awakened Anton earlier in the day, stroking his hair softly until he opened his eyes, she'd only just decided on the fishtail-style, floor-length black dress. It covered only one shoulder, leaving the other bare...which he took advantage of later as he kissed and nipped at her. It felt strangely wonderful to curl up on his lap, dressed in a sparkling evening gown while he wore nothing but a sheet. He kissed her so soundly she hadn't needed lipstick...her lips were already red. He gently stroked her bare shoulder, wishing he could stay. She looked absolutely ravishing in this dress. Breaking the kiss to breathe, he leaned his forehead against hers. "I wish I didn't have to go, my dear." Her eyes sparkled. "Then stay and come with me tonight." "I would if I could." He stroked her cheek, careful not to dislodge the French braid that she wore so gracefully. "I am going to miss you so much, my dear." She wanted to ask him what would be the worst that could happen if he didn't go...but she already knew the answer to that. If no one fought for their rights, Natasha would get away with everything. She was already missing--there was no sense in giving up the search for her. Looking over to where Max was sleeping so peacefully, wedged against her pillow, she smiled bittersweetly. "At least you'll have a little more time with Max. You will have time to drop him off with Jess, right?" "I'll make time," he said, taking her face in his hands. He gently stroked her cheekbones with his thumb, memorizing her already familiar face. Anton pressed his lips to her forehead, inhaling her scent. "I am going to miss you so much my dear. There won't be a moment that I'm not thinking about you, especially on the flight tonight." She'd looked up at him with glistening eyes and nodded. "I'll miss you, too. And I love you so much..." Now as she stood talking with Mr. Steel, she felt her wave of sadness begin to abate. As long as she was distracted, she'd be okay. At least until the opening was over. Looking over her shoulder, she said, "They look so foreign on someone else's walls," meaning her paintings. "Actually, they look a little odd on anyone's walls. I've had most of these in storage for so long. I don't really know what to do with them. I guess I could hang them in my house, but...I never seem to think they're good enough." "You're kidding?" Justin's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "They have such depth, such emotion, a soul captured in paint." He turned and studied the painting a bit further. "If anything, Sabryn, I have to wonder if this gallery is worthy of hosting them." She let out a soft laugh, but didn't feel very amused. It was so hard to take compliments about her work. She constantly wondered if she was really being mocked. Watching him curiously, she got the feeling he was being sincere. [That probably should worry me.] "Honestly, I'm hoping they sell, but not for the same reasons you might be thinking. It's hard for me to look at them. It looks like pure pain splashed on canvas. This was a very dark period of my life, and it shows. I can't really imagine putting one in my living room...it would depress me severely." He gave her a smile, teeth flashing in the lights. "You would be surprised what people will hang in their living room. Not everyone's tastes runs to bland landscapes." He turned to look at her. "You belittle yourself too much. There are those who would sell their soul to the devil to have the abilities you have been gifted with." The next words slipped out seemingly by accident. "And beauty as well." He sounded like Anton when he said that...so much so that it was easy to pretend he was him. But she wouldn't let herself become too comfortable with his compliments. Even if they were very charming. "Thank you. I do belittle myself, I know. I'm trying to learn how to avoid that. The longer you keep up a habit, the harder it is to break." Deciding to walk around him to a different painting, she kept up the conversation. "What about you? Any artist abilities I don't know about?" "Alas no," Justin said, shaking his head, a slightly rueful smile on his face. "My talent at art lies solely in appreciating it. And organizing this gallery." He looked at the new painting, an abstract play of geometric light and dark shapes of gray. "What are your thoughts on this one, Sabryn?" She'd noticed that some of the patrons were making their way into the gallery. It wouldn't be long before someone came over to congratulate Justin. Accepting a glass of champagne from the waiter walking past, she waited for Justin to do the same before commenting. "This painting doesn't really do much for me. That's probably not something an art critic would say...and definitely not what I'd say if I were trying to sell it," she added, with a smile. "But if you want my honest opinion, it's kind of boring. I mean, there are clean lines and an interesting composition, I suppose, but it's just a bunch of shapes. I would find a line drawing of this more interesting than the original. Anyone could do this--a child could make the same picture out of construction paper." She saw the slightly amused look on his face and raised an eyebrow. "What? You're not going to tell me the artist is standing behind me, are you?" "No, he is not. The artist in question is a son of a business partner. I'm doing it as more of a favor to him." Justin took a sip of champagne. "Don't spread this around, but I don't care for this painting myself, and agree with your assessment." She laughed. She was delighted that her boss wasn't as intimidating as she'd first assessed. He was even a bit of an eccentric, it seemed. Or at least his closet was. Gesturing to his colorful silk tie, she said, "Now that's a little more my style. Bright, expressive, intelligent. It says you know what you like, you're a patron of the arts, have a sense of humor, and aren't afraid to take a risk. It's from a Kandinsky, isn't it?" She toyed with her glass. "Did your wife buy that for you, or is that one of your own purchases?" "My own purchase. Regretfully there is no Mrs. Steel, nor a prospect of one in the near future." He looked down at Bryn. "It is a pity that your husband was called out of town. If I were married, and my wife was half as attractive as you, I would certainly not let her attend a function like this alone." She didn't know why, but this time his compliments were just a little too personal. She couldn't help but withdraw a bit, even if she did remain cordial. "It's my job. He didn't really have a choice. He certainly wanted me to come with him, as much as I didn't want him to go." Glancing at the clock, she said, "It's time. I should probably start mingling to see if I can answer any questions. Please let me know if there's anything else I can do." "Of course, Sabryn." As if sensing he was pushing his limits, Justin backed off both verbally and physically. "Let me know if there is anything I can do. Or if anyone has any questions you cannot answer." Smiling, he headed in the direction of the front lobby to greet the visitors. She thumbed the underside of her wedding ring, watching the man walk away. [If you were here, you'd be restraining yourself right now,] she thought, speaking to Anton in her mind, a small smile on her face. [And then you'd put your arm around me, all territorial, and take me to the other end of the room.] Setting down her champagne glass, still untouched, she straightened her gown and took in a deep breath to center herself. It was time to work, and she had to put all thoughts of him aside. If at all possible. They had left their home about two hours after sunset. Lindy and Nate had left Liam with Lindy's parents. Lindy felt sorry about doing it, noticing that Jess looked harried and Max seemed upset. But as cute and well behaved as Liam was, it would be asking too much to ask of the little boy to attend. It was a bit more crowded than Lindy had expected. She smoothed down the white jacket of her pantsuit as she surveyed the gathering. "Do you see Bryn anywhere?" Nate shook his head, once again adjusting his tie. He felt stifled in the tailored suit, as if it were one step away from wearing a straight jacket. "Nope. Nice place, though. Ooh, and champagne." He grabbed her hand, tugging her along behind him as he caught up with one of the waiters. He handed her a glass before taking his own. "All we need now is some hors d'oeuvres...which I see right over there. Let's mingle, baby." Rolling her eyes, Lindy followed Nate. She didn't know that much about recent art or any of the local artists but Bryn, and felt a bit out of her element. Stopping in front of one picture, she looked it over. "Isn't this one of hers?" She hadn't seen much of Bryn's art, other than the portrait of her that she had yet to give to Nate and the picture she had sent Anton. He didn't answer her right away, as he grabbed a small pile of snacks. "Couldn't tell ya," he said, stuffing a brie-topped cracker in his mouth. "Loofs lie i'." Before Lindy could glare at him, someone grabbed her arm from behind. "You guys made it! I'm glad I know somebody here, finally." Bryn looked a little tired, but seemed to be in a good mood. "Are you having a good time? I see Nate found the food." Lindy nodded. "You know my husband. Turn him loose, and he'll head to the buffet right away." She laughed when Nate rolled his eyes, and changed the subject quickly. "So how has it been going tonight? Anybody sell any paintings?" "I think so. Actually, I think I saw a sold sticker on one of mine, but I didn't look too closely. Don't wanna appear too eager." She licked her lips. "The funny thing is, I was thinking Justin priced them too highly. But maybe it was one of the cheaper ones that sold, or they haggled over the price. Either way, I'm happy. I just wish I could share it with Anton." "Yeah, I'm sure Anton wishes he could be here too. It's rotten that you weren't given more advanced notice." She glanced around the room, looking for the painting Bryn mentioned. "Which painting was it? I could go scope it out for you. Go find the details for you." Bryn gave her an uncertain stare, before finally pointing to a dividing walls to her left. "It's on the other side of that wall, second from the left. Mr. Steel priced them pretty high, though, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's just being held for someone." Nervously watching Lindy head off in that direction, Bryn shifted from foot to foot. Finally she glanced over at Nate and managed to catch him between bites. "I'm really glad you two were able to make it. It means a lot to me." He nodded. "We're lucky we made it. Liam didn't want to stay with Grandma tonight when he could be out with his mom. And Lindy's exhausted after sorting everything out at her office. I think I'll probably go with her tomorrow to see if there's anything I can do to help. Everything sure is messed up from Chandra." He sounded pissed by her actions still. Trying to appear casual, Lindy rounded the corner, looking at each picture. She came across Bryn's picture, and there was a sold sticker by the information tag. Not wanting to look like she was specifically looking for Bryn's painting, she looked at several others in the area, and came across a second one of hers, also with a sold sticker. Smiling, she started to head back to her friend and her husband. Her grin got wider when she arrived. "I saw both of your paintings over there, Bryn. They both have sold stickers on them." "You're kidding?" Wrinkling her nose, Bryn glanced over at Mr. Steel, where he stood speaking to a few patrons, and then back at Lindy again. "Did he mark them down? I told him he should, but I didn't know he did it." Lindy shook her head. "Nope, he didn't mark them down." She put an arm around Nate's waist. "Are there any other ones you want me to check out and report back on?" She was eager to show Nate one particular portrait that was a display only piece. She had spotted it when she was looking for Bryn's other works. Bryn was so busy figuring numbers in her head that she almost didn't hear Lindy's question. [He didn't mark them down.] She let out a small laugh, more wonder than amusement. [Wait 'til Anton hears this!] "Bryn?" "Huh? Oh." She thought for a minute, confused, before realizing what Lindy was talking about. "Oh! Oh yeah. Um, I think there's one towards the back, by the sitting area. It should be right over the 'fireplace.' I can show you where, I'm heading that way anyway. I need to go to my office for a little while." "Okay, lead the way." She tugged Nate along, following Bryn. She couldn't wait to see Nate's reaction to the painting. There had been many times she had thought about giving it to him, but the timing never quite felt right. When Bryn had asked if she could show her portrait, Lindy had eagerly agreed. When they drew nearer, Lindy stopped looking at the picture, and started watching Nate's face. His food was forgotten in his hand. Swallowing, he stared wide-eyed at the picture before him. He might've been embarrassed to feel tears starting to burn his eyes, if he'd still noticed the other people in the room. They all blew away like mist around him, leaving nothing but Lindy. His lost golden wolf, fur ruffling in the wind, juxtaposed by his awesome, loving wife, the most beautiful woman he'd ever met. He swallowed again, wishing the painting had every texture, every detail of the real thing. So he could reach out and pet that fur, feel it's silkiness sliding through his fingers. He wanted to see her elegant prancing feet, the fullness of her tail, the spring of her gait. He missed that part of her so much it left an empty ache in his chest. Glancing at her as she stood beside him, he blinked moisture from his eyes. "If this isn't already ours, it will be." She swallowed the lump in her throat, choking a little at the emotion he was displaying. "It already is. I've been meaning to give it to you for a while, but it never seemed the right time to do so. And when Bryn asked if she could display it with her other stuff, I couldn't say no." She gently kissed his cheek., reaching down to interlace their fingers "I know you miss that side of me, Nate, and I wanted something that you could remember the wolf by." "It's perfect." His voice was soft, but scratchy with emotion. "We have to put it somewhere where I can look at it a lot. I like looking at you." Sliding his hand around her waist, he pulled her close to his body and leaned over to kiss her temple. "Thank you, baby. I love it." She smiled and leaned against him. "I'm glad you like it, Nate. We'll find some place to put it where everyone can see it." Lindy was happy that he liked it. A small part of her had been worried he wouldn't like it. But she reminded herself that this was her husband she was thinking of. He'd praise a stick figure drawing if she said she had it made for him. Bryn had seen the look on Nate's face before heading to her office. It was nice to see them so happy together. Closing her door behind her, she walked over to her chair and sat down. She hadn't felt like this in a really long time. Happy. Proud of herself. Grateful she'd been able to help her friends. And thankful for the talent she often refused to acknowledge. She'd made so much money in just those two paintings...and maybe there would be more. Justin would start introducing her to people, calling her a featured artist--beaming when he showed off her work. So, she really couldn't understand why she felt such an overwhelming need to cry. Pulling a packet of Kleenex out of her drawer, she tilted her head back against her chair and tried her hardest not to smudge her make-up. There was a soft knock on the door. Before she had a chance to say anything, Justin opened the door. "Sabryn, may I talk to you for a moment?" He started in the room, but paused when he saw her tears. "Is everything all right?" "Um, yes," she said, putting down the tissue, trying to smile at him. "Is something wrong?" Justin sounded contrite. "I wanted to apologize for making you feel uncomfortable earlier this evening. It was nerves speaking, and I did not mean to put you ill at ease." She sniffed, taking a deep breath to calm herself. She hadn't thought much about Justin's comments since he said them. As unnerving as his words had been, she never thought they were more than compliments. The man knew she was happily married...and although he didn't know it himself, she was pretty sure her boss would find himself in a big world of trouble if Anton ever found out he'd displeased her. "I understand, really. I think we're all trying to unwind now. The stress is melting away a bit, now that it's obvious you have a success." She smiled at him. "Congratulations." "Thanks to you," Justin said simply. "Several of your pieces have already sold, as well as there being inquiries into the ones that have not. Hands down, you're the artist who's works are selling the best." He glanced out the door. "I had better return to the gallery." She understood his reluctance to stick around. He probably didn't like hanging around with crying women--most men didn't. "Thank you, Justin. For giving me a chance. For believing in me." She blinked a few times. "It means so much to me." Justin nodded once. "You're welcome. Enjoy the rest of the evening, Sabryn." He showed himself out of the office, closing the door behind him. Glancing back down at her desk, she reached for the phone and dialed the number for Anton's cell phone. She knew he wouldn't be able to get the call while on the plane, but decided to leave a message on his voice mail. The sound of his voice on the recording made her breath catch. Waiting for the beep, she finally spoke. "Hi sugar, I miss you. God I really wish you were here. You'd be so proud of me..." End Chapter One Hundred Seven <- Previous Chapter | Home | Next Chapter ->